When I was working as a lawyer, my experience was that international companies and law firms often automatically turned to large agencies when they needed legal translations. It’s true that this may be a good option, especially if you need a very quick turnaround of a high volume of documents in multiple languages. However, in many other cases, hiring a freelance legal translator can be even more beneficial. In this blog, I’ll explore some of the advantages of choosing a freelance legal translator like me.
1. Expertise
Although translation agencies may work with very capable freelance translators who are able to produce legal translations, it is often the case that they are generalists who may not have the specific expertise you need. As a qualified lawyer with ten years’ experience working for top international law firms, I specialise in legal translations and do this type of work day in, day out. I understand the legal profession and the high level of service that clients expect and my experience means that I am well-placed to offer the same to you.
2. Value for money
Given the high level of service required and the specialist nature of the work, I think we can agree that it’s worth investing in the right provider to obtain value for money. Hiring a freelance legal translator directly will invariably offer better value as it cuts out an intermediary. Many translation agencies need to pay for additional resources such as administrative staff, account managers and project management in addition to the cost of the actual translation, so will add those overheads to your invoice. If you work with a freelancer, you know that you are investing only in their time and expertise.
3. Confidentiality
As an former lawyer and professional legal translator, I understand and take client confidentiality extremely seriously. I’ve been in your shoes and am used to signing non-disclosure agreements and complying with GDPR in the way I handle data. Using one individual freelance legal translator, instead of a translation agency with numerous employees and freelancers, reduces the risk of leaking confidential information and means that you retain better control of your documents. In cases where there is a need to outsource to a second translator, for example for proofreading, I would always obtain your consent first and ensure that I work with a trusted colleague who has signed a robust non-disclosure agreement.
4. Personalised service
There may be hundreds of different translators working for an agency at any given time, so there’s no guarantee that the same person (or your preferred person) will work on your assignments every time. The translator who worked on your agency project previously might not be available next time, meaning that someone new will have to take time to familiarise themselves with the way you like to work. Freelance translators can work with you directly to get to know your preferences, house style and more. With one person working on your project, you can be assured that your translations will be consistent and seamless – something that is especially important for legal documents.
5. You know who you’re working with
Even if you do end up working with the same agency translator, you won’t be told who they are and can’t check their credentials and qualifications. That’s not the case with a freelance translator – they will be happy to provide details of their certifications upfront. In fact, they have probably already published the details on their website, as I have here, so you can pick the person who is best suited to your project and build an ongoing professional relationship.
6. Direct communication
On that note, translation agencies often have multiple layers of staff and the person you deal with is not the one that will be carrying out your translation. Using a freelance legal translator means that you can communicate directly with the translator who is working on your project and none of your instructions gets lost. This will reduce the risk of unexpected problems and unsatisfactory results. The lines of communication will remain open, so if anything is unclear, the freelancer can ask you and you can clarify things straight away. As a freelancer, I work in a streamlined way so I can be responsive to your specific needs and feedback. I find that the best client relationships are where I work as an extension of their legal team.
7. But…freelancers don’t always work alone
The best freelancers have strong professional networks that they can call upon to help when needed. Although I usually work on translations from start to finish, there are times when it might help my clients to involve other experienced colleagues. I am used to working with trusted colleagues (many of whom are also lawyers) to deliver on particularly large projects, to meet tight deadlines or just to provide a second pair of eyes for crucial documents that are going to be certified or used in court. But you can rest assured that I will only ever recommend this where I think it will be helpful and I will never outsource work without consent.
If this has given you food for thought and you would like to discuss a French or Spanish into English legal translation job with me or just find out more about how we can work together then please get in touch. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
